DNI

Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency - Who We Are

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency

Who We Are

The IC must exemplify America's values: operating under the rule of law, consistent with Americans' expectations for protection of privacy and civil liberties, respectful of human rights, and in a manner that retains the trust of the American people." – National Intelligence Strategy of the United States, August 2009

The Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency (CLPT) works to ensure that the Intelligence Community carries out its national security mission in a manner that protects privacy and civil liberties, and, at the same time, provides appropriate transparency to the public.

CLPT is led by Alexander W. Joel, Chief, Civil Liberties, Privacy, and Transparency. In this capacity, he serves as the Civil Liberties Protection Officer, a position established by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Reporting directly to the Director of National Intelligence, the Civil Liberties Protection Officer ensures that privacy and civil liberties protections are appropriately addressed in the policies and procedures of intelligence agencies; oversees compliance by the ODNI with privacy and civil liberties in programs and operations administered by the ODNI; and ensures that the use of technology sustains, and does not erode, privacy.

In addition, the DNI designated Joel to serve as the Chief Transparency Officer in 2015. In that capacity, he chairs the Intelligence Transparency Council, and leads and coordinates the IC’s efforts to enhance transparency. Part of this role is to promote and support the IC-wide adoption of the Principles of Intelligence Transparency for the Intelligence Community. They are intended to facilitate IC decisions that enhance public understanding of intelligence activities, while continuing to protect information when disclosure would harm national security. The Transparency Implementation Plan outlines the approach to transparency.

What’s New

Last summer, the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board convened a workshop to bring together segments of the intelligence community, academia and the private sector. The purpose of the workshop was to advance dialogue in several main areas, including the privacy implications of emerging technologies; various public and personal attitudes toward privacy; and ethical approaches to data collection.

Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency - What We Do

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency

What We Do

Drawing on a broad legal and policy framework, and in concert with partner offices and institutions, the CLPT provides oversight, advice, guidance, education, and training. CLPT engages in public outreach and communication initiatives that foster awareness of how the IC accomplishes its intelligence mission while protecting Constitutional values.

The CLPT also reviews, assesses, and, where appropriate, investigates complaints and other information indicating possible abuses of civil liberties and privacy in the administration of ODNI programs and operations.

What’s New

Last summer, the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board convened a workshop to bring together segments of the intelligence community, academia and the private sector. The purpose of the workshop was to advance dialogue in several main areas, including the privacy implications of emerging technologies; various public and personal attitudes toward privacy; and ethical approaches to data collection.

This guidance, issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence - Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency, is intended for personnel working in the United States Intelligence Community (IC) who obtain and/or use information that is available to the general public.

Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency - Reports

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency

Reports

Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007

Section 803 - Privacy and Civil Liberties Officers, Periodic Reports:

Pursuant to Section 803 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the ODNI Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency provides an accounting of reviews conducted of specified agency activities to ensure that civil liberties and privacy requirements are being adequately considered. These quarterly reports to Congress summarize the category of conducted reviews, types of advice, furnished guidance, and complaints received by the ODNI Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy and Transparency.

These reports are provided pursuant to Section 804 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. Each year, ODNI is required to submit a report to Congress covering all data mining activities of all ODNI components.